Mining machine



Oct. 26, 1937. f

T. PRAY MINING MACHINE 2 sheets-sheet 1 Fil'ed Oct. 7, 1935 Oct. 26, 1937. T. E. PRAY 2,096,917

MINING MACHINE Filsdqoci. '7, 1935 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Oct. 26, 1937 G MACHINE yihomas, E. Pray, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application October 7, 1935, Serial No. 43,855

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in mining machines and more particularly to improvements in the cutting mechanism of a mining machine of the double cutter bar type adapted to cut an entire dirt band vfrom a coal seam.

My invention has as one of its objects to provide a new and improved cutting mechanism of a novel construction arranged to cut a plurality of parallel-spaced kerfs and cut a connecting kerf perpendicular to these kerfs at the end thereof by positioning a novel form of rotatable cutting element between a pair of parallel-spaced cutter bars adjacent the forward end thereof and driving said cutting element therefrom in a `novel manner. Another object of my invention is to provide -a novel supporting connection for the rotatable cutting element and permit driving of the same when the bars are in misalignment with respect to each other. Still another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved construction of rotatable cutting element arranged in a novel, efficient and simple manner which includes an improved 4and efficient means for detachably holding the cutting element bits therein.

My invention may be more clearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a top plan view of a mining machine of a type which may have my invention em- Y bodied therein;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the forward portion of the machine Ishown in Figure l with certain par-ts broken away and shown in substantially longitudinal section;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the forward portion of the cutting mechanism, showing said cutting mech-anism in substantially longitudinal section;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line f-li of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken substantially H along line 6--5 of Figure 2; and

Cil

Figure 'l isa detail View of one of the rotatable cutting element bit holding means.

In the drawings, the embodiment of my invention illustrated is preferably shown as applied to a mining machine of the track-mounted bottom cutting type. Said machine is of an ordinary construction and includes a track-mounted truck I@ having a turntable Il at the forward end thereof. Said turntable has a cutting element l2 supported thereon on parallel-spaced trunnion supports I3, i3 extending therefrom. Said cutting element includes a cutter frame i5 pivotally mounted on said trunnion supports and extending forwardly beyond the forward end of said turntable and truck. A motor i4 is mounted on and extends rearwardly of said frame and a pair of parallel-spaced cutter bars iii-and I l project forwardly therefrom. Said cutter bars have cutter chains I3 and I9, respectively, movable thereabout and driven therearound by a pair of spaced coaxially arranged drive sprockets 20, .20.

While the frame l5 may have the cutter bars IS and ll directly connected thereto, said cutter bars are herein shown as being mounted on a cutter bar support member 2|. Said cutter bar support member is journaled in a frame member 22 for pivotal movement with respect thereto about an axis coaxial with the axis of rotation of the drive sprockets 2t, Z. Said last-named frame member is in turn supported for adjust-able movement towards and away from the frame l5 for adjusting the cutting position of said cutter bars in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. v

The drive from the motor I4 to the cutter chain drive sprockets 2B, 2Q includes an extensible drive l character 23, and illustrated in'Figure 2, and is n of a construction well known to Vthose skilled in the art, so will not herein be described -in detail.

The cutter bars l5 and Il are of a usual construction having continuous gibbed channeled guides extending along opposite sides and around the forward end thereof for guiding the cutter chains thereabout. Said cutter bars are secured together in parallel relation with respect to each otherr by means of a spacing member 24 disposed therebetween and secured thereto by a cap screw 25 in a usual manner. Said cutter b-ars, together with said spacing member, are adjustably mounted on a forward supporting projection 26 from the cutter bar support member 2| by means of suitable nuts and bolts 2l, 2l, Said bolts depend from said supporting projection and extend through suitable slots formed in said cutter bars and spacing member so said cutter bars may be simultaneously adjusted, to take up slack in the cutter chains, by means of a suitable adjusting screw 2S in a usual manner.

Referring now particularly to several of the novel features of my invention, a rotatable cutting element 3S is mounted at the forward end of the cutter bars i6 and Il in a manner which -will hereinafter more clearly appear. Said cutting element is driven from one of the cutter chains at a speed greater than the speed of said cutter chains in order to enable said cutting element, which has a less effective diameter than said cutter chains as they round the forward end of the cutter bar, to cut as efficiently as said cutter chains.

As herein shown, said cutting element is driven from the lower cutter chain I9 which meshes with and drives a sprocket 3| journaled in the forward end of the cutter bar Vll. Said sprocket til VVinner periphery oi which is` journaled on suitable spaced-apart ball bearings 32, 32 mountedon lugs 33, 33 extending inwardly from'opposed forward end platesr34,V 34 of the cutter bar l1 Y(see Figures '73, 4, and5).

on an inwardly extending lug 33, which bearing is adapted to engage the upper portion oi the inner periphery oi the annular ring 29.'}The lower plate 3d has two spaced-apart ball bearings mounted on the inwardly extendingY lugs 33,

33 which are adapted to engage the lower porings (see Figures 3 and 5). The portions Y of thefend plates 34, 3d opposite the lugs 33, 33

are vprovided with Ylugs 35,36 similar to the lugs of the sprocket 3i to form a bearing n'iearis''forY said sprocket. Y Y Y An internal gear-31 is cutintegral with and extends inwar iyfrom the inner periphery of the annular ringY j adjacent the central por--y tion thereof in the space between the surface and guiding where the ball bearings 32,32 and lugs 36, 36

engage said annular ring. Said'gear is adapted to mesh withand drive a'spur pinion 39. Said spur pinion is journaledon its hub in the end plates 34,l 34 on suitableVY ball bearings 40, V4i) mountedY in said endplates on opposite sides of Y the teeth of said gear (see Figure 3) Said spur pinion isv provired with a splined drivingmem- Aber 4! extendingvupwardly.therefrom and herein shown as being formed integral therewith Vwhich forms a drive means for the rotatable cutting element 39. Y Y

Theupper cutter bar i5 is provided with a pair oi forwardly extending oppositely disposed Yend plates 43, 43 secured thereto by means of suitable nuts and boits 44, 44 in the usual manner.

. Said end plates forman arcuate guide for revers- VVing the direction of travel of thecutter chain I8 at the forward end of the cutter bar and form a bearing support means for an Vidler guide member 45 supported on suitable ballY bearings 45, V45 mounted within said end plates. As herein shown, saidfidler guide member has a depending splined portion 41 adapted to form a guiding support for theupper portion of theV rotatable cutting element 30.

The rotatable cutting element 3i) includes a cylindricai member 49 oiY a hollow construction provided with internal splines 50 adapted toY beV loosely engaged by the splined driving member 4I. Said cylindrical member isalso provided with internal splines 5| adjacentthe upper end thereof adapted to be loosely engaged by the splined portion 4'! of the idler guide member 45.`

Thus, said cylindrical member may be axially `rnoved with respect to said guide or drive member and may be driven from the spur pinion 39 Ywhen displacedaxially withY respect thereto in cases where the cutter bars are in a misaligned position with respect to each other, whichconl.dition frequently occurs when one cutter bar is cutting in harder materialthan the other. 'Y

YA threaded rod 53 is connected betweenrthe VVforward ends of the cutter bars I6 Vand l1 to aid in holding said cutter bars in alignment `with Y the lower end plate 34 (see Figure 3). As herein shown, the I upper end plate 34 has one ball bearing mounted` respect to each other. Said threaded rod extends Y Y' through the Yidier member 45,'cylindrical driving member 49 and spur pinion 39 and is threaded within a threaded boss 54 formed integral with A suitable nut 55 isV threaded on the upper end of said threaded rod and engages therupper end plate 43.

the rotating parts of the cutting element 3D co-V axial therewith to permit VVaxial movement of said parts with respect to said rod about a transverse axis and permit driving of said parts When there isV weaving motion of said cutter bars Y with respect'to each other.

It may thus be seen that the rotatable cutting element 3i) is driven from the lower cutter chain I9 at a speedV greater than the speed of saidV yare adapted to engage Vcorresponding 'jaws formedin the lower portion of a'bit holdingV member 5'71.V Said bit holding member is bored in its central portion and slidabiy engages the It may be seen in Figure 3 that considerable g play is provided between said threaded rodand outer periphery of said cylindrical member. AYV

Y pair of projections Vor :wings extend outwardly from the central portion of said bit holding mem` ber inopposite directions, and each of said Vprojections have a bit receiving slot 59 formed therein.V Each of said slots is adapted to receive an oppositely disposed cutter bit 60.0f a

usual construction so ythat Vthe points thereofV may present a cutting surface upon rotation of the member 49 (see Figures 3 and 6).

The depth of the bit receiving'slots 59, 59 is equal to half the thickness of the cutter bits 60, 60 so that half of each of vsaid cutter bits project above the upper surface of said bit holding member and may be` engaged by suitable bit receiving slots Vformed in the under surfaceV of a bit holding and spacing member 63. Said bit holding and spacing member is ofra construction similar to the bit holding member 51, with the exception that it is provided with another set of projections 64, 64, extending therefrom in a different angular direction than the set of projections engaging'the upper surface of the cutterv bits 60, 60.

bit receiving slots 64a, 54aV in the upper surfaceV Said projections are provided with to the bit holding and spacing member 63. `Said bit holding member has arpair of oppositely disposed projection-s adapted to `engage the upper` half of the cutter bits 60, 6i) mounted in the projections 64,-64 of the bit holding and spacing member 63. Another set of bit holding projections extend angularly from the upper portion of the bit holding memberV 65 and are adapted to carry cutter bits 60, 60 in suitable projectionsV Y extending from the upper surface thereof which bits are adapted to be engaged byV slots formed in the under surface of another bit holding and spacing member. YAny number of other similar bit holding and spacing members may be provided along the member 1&9 depending upon the effective cutting length thereof, but as herein shown two more of said members are provided which include a bit holding and spacing member 66 which is the last of these bit'holding members. Said bit holding member is abutted by an upper bit holding member 61 which is similar to the lower bit holding member 51, with the exception that it does not have jaws formed therein. Said upper bit holding member is adapted to be engaged by a nut t9 threaded on the upper end of the cylindrical member 49. Said nut forms a clamping means for clamping all of the bit holding and spacing members together and holding the bits in their respective slots whereby rotation of the lower bit holding member 5l will cause rotation of all of said bit holding members as a unit. It should be noted with reference to Figure 6, that the projections of said bit holding members, which hold the bits 60, project from the center of the cutting element in various angular relationships Awith respect to each other so as to present a continuous cutting surface therearound and form a unitary rotatable cutting unit.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction and arrangement of the various parts may be changed or altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself to the precise construction illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination in a mining machine, a projecting cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout and adapted to cut a kerf in a mine wall, a rotatable cutting element at the forward end of said cutter bar adapted to cut a kerf perpendicular to the kerf cut by said cutter bar, said cutting element having a plurality of bits projecting therefrom having an effective cutting Y diameter less than the Width of said cutter bar, and a drive connection from said cutter chain to said rotatable cutting element for driving said cutting element at a greater speed than the speed of said cutter chain.

2. In combination in a mining machine, a projecting cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout and adapted to cut a kerf in a mine wall, a rotatable cutting element at the forward end of said cutter bar adapted to cut a kerf perpendicular to the kerf cut by said cutter bar, said cutting element having a plurality of bits projecting therefrom having an effective cutting diameter less than the width of said cutter bar, and a drive connection from said cutter chain to said rotatable cutting element for driving said cutting element at a greater speed than the speed of said cutter chain including a sprocket journaled in said cutter bar and driven by said cutter chain, an internal spur gear driven by saidA sprocket and a spur pinion journaled in said cutter bar and driven by said internal gear.

3. In combination in a mining machine, a pair of parallel-spaced projecting cutter bars having cutter chains movable thereabout, and means disposed between said cutter bars at the forward end thereof and driven by one of said cutter chains for cutting a kerf perpendicular to the kerfs out by said cutter bars comprising a rotatable cutting element having a plurality of bits projecting therefrom having an effective pair of parallel-spaced projecting cutter bars i having cutter chains movable thereabout, and means disposed between said cutter bars at the forward end thereof and driven by one of said cutter chains for cutting a kerf perpendicular to the kerfs cut by said cutter bars comprising a rotatable cutting element having a plurality of bits projecting therefrom having an effective cutting diameter less than the width of said cutter bar, and a drive connection from one of said cutter chains to said rotatable cutting element for driving said cutting element at a greater speed than the speed of said cutter chain including a sprocket journaled in one of said cutter bars and driven by the cutter chain associated therewith, an internal spur gear driven pair of parallel-spaced projecting cutter bars il having cutter chains movable thereabout, and means disposed between said cutter bars at the forward end thereof and driven by one of said cutter chains for cutting a kerf perpendicular to the kerfs cut by said cutter bars comp-rising a rotatable cutting element having a plurality of ,bits projecting therefrom havingv an effective Acutting diameter less than the width ci said cutter bar, and a drive connection from one of said cutter chains to said rotatable cutting eiement for driving said cutting element at a greater speed than the speed of said cutter chain including a sprocket journaled in one of said cutter bars and driven by the cutter chain associated therewith, an internal spur gear driven l by said sprocket, and a spur p-inion driven by said internal gear and having a relatively loose driving connection with said cutting element.

6. In combination in a mining machine, a pair of parallel-spaced projecting cutter bars having Y cutter chains movable thereabout, and means disposed between said cutter bars at the forward end thereof and driven by one of said cutter chains for cutting a kerf perpendicular to the kerfs cut by said cutter bars comprising a ro ,l

tatable cutting element having a plurality of bits' projecting therefrom having an effective cutting diameter less than the width of said cutter bar, and a drive connection from one of said cutter chains to said rotatable cutting element for driving said cutting element at a greater speed than the speed of said cutter chain including a sprocket journaled in one of said cutter bars and driven by the cutter chain associated therewith, an internal spur gear driven by said sprocket, and a spur Apinion driven by said internal gear and having a relatively loose splined driving connection with said cutting element.

7. In a mining machine, a cutter bar having a cutter chain movable thereabout and normally adapted to cut a horizontal vkerf in the mine wall, and means at the forward end of said cutter bar driven by said cutter V'chain for cutting a kerf perpendicular to the kerf cut by said cutter chain comprising a rotatable 'cutting element Ymounted at the forward end of said cutter bar and extending therefrom, saidl cutting element having a plurality of Vbits detachably mounted thereinand said drive from said cutter chain to said cutting element including a sprocket journaled in the forward end of said cutter bar having a spur gear formed internally thereof,

anda pinion journaled in said cutter bar and j driven by said internal gear cutting element. Y Y

8. In a mining machine, a projecting'cutter for driving said Y bar having a Ycutter chain move-bie thereabout,

Y spaced cutter bars having cutter chains movable thereabout, and means disposed between said cuti Yter bars at the forward end thereof for cutting a means at the forward end of 'said cutter bar driven by saidV 'cutter chain for'cutting Ya kerf perpendicular to kerf cut by said cutter bar and chain comprising a 'rotatable cutting element mounted at the forward endof said cutter Vbar and extending therefrom in a plane perpendicular to the plane of travel of said cutter chain, said cutting element having a plurality of bits projecting therefrom, and a drive connection from said cutterchain to said cutting element including a sprocket driven by said cutter chain and journaled in the forward end of said cutterY Y bar, a gear formed internally of said sprocketY and a pinion journaled in said cutter bar and driven by said gear and operatively connected with said cutting element.

9. In a mining machine, a plurality of parallelkerf per endicular to the kerfs cut by said cutter bars comprising a rotatable cutting element having Va relatively loose supporting connection with Vsaid cutter bars and having a plurality of bits pro- A jecting therefrom, and a drive connection from one of said cutter chains to said cutting element disposedbetween said cutter bars'at'the forward i end thereof and driven by said cutter chains for cutting a kerf perpendicular to the kerfs 'cut by said cutter bars comprising a rotatable cutting element having a plurality of bits projecting therefrom, said cutting element having splined ends, one of said splined ends being adapted to be loose-ly engaged by a splined member Vjournaled in and extending from one of said cutter bars, andthe other of said ends being adapted to be loosely engaged by a splined member journaled in and extending from said otherV Vcutter bar whereby said cutting element may be driven from one of said splined members when in various axial positions with respect thereto.

. 11. In combination in a mining machine; a pair of parallel-spaced projecting cutter bars having cutter chains movabie thereabout, and means disposed between said cutter bars atY the forward endthereof andV driven by said cutter chains for cutting a kerf'perpendicular tothe kerfs cut by said cutter bars including a rotatable cutting element having a plurality'of bits projecting thereabout.

from, saidV cutting element having splined ends,

one of said splined ends being adapted to be loosely engaged by a splined member journaled in and extending from one of said cutter bars, andY the otherof said ends being adapted to be loosely engaged by a splined member journaled in and Vextending from said other cutter bar whereby said cuttingelement may be driven fromA saidv last-named splined member when in various axial positions with respect theretog-said last-named splined member having'a gear thereon andsaid gear'being driven by an internal gear vjournaled in said last-named cutter bar andV driven from the cutter chain movable thereabout. Y

12. In combination in a mining machine, a pair of parallel-spaced projecting cutter bars havingl cutterr chains movable thereabout, and means Ydisposed between said cutter-bars at the forwardV end thereof and'driven by said cutteinchains for cutting a kerf perpendicular to the kerfs cut by said cutter bars'including a rotatable cutting element having arplurality of bits projecting therefrom, said cutting element having an end adapted to be loosely engaged by a Ymember extending from one of said cutter bars Vand having an'opposite end which is splined and isl adaptedVV to be loosely engaged by a splined driving member journaled in and extending Vfrom said other cutter bar whereby said cutting element may be drivenY from said driving member when in misalignment with respect thereto.

13. In combination in a mining machine, a pair of parallel-spaced projecting cutter bars having cutter chains movable thereabout, and means dis'- posed between said cutter bars atY the forward end thereof and driven by said cutter chains for cutting a kerf'perpendicular to the kerfs cutby said Y cutter bars Vincluding a rotatable Ycutting elementY having a pluralityv of bits projecting therefrom, said cutting element having an end adapted to ,be

loosely engaged by a member extending from ,oneV

of said cutter Ybars and having an opposite Vvend which is splined and is adapted to be loosely engaged by a splined driving member journaled in and extending from said other cutter bar, whereby said cutting element may be driven from said driving member when in misalignment withV respect thereto, said drivingmember havi'nga gear thereon and said gearbeing driven by an internal gear jcurnaled in said last-named cutter bar and driven from the cutter chain movable theren 14. In combination in a mining machine, a pair Y of parallel-spaced projectingv cutter bars having cutter chains movable thereabout, and means disposed between said cutter bars atthe forward end thereof and driven by said cutter chains for cuiting a lierf perpendicular to the kerfs cut by said cutter bars including a rotatable cutting element having a plurality of bits projecting therefrom,

said cutting element having an end adapted to be loosely engaged by a member extending from one. of said cutter bars and having anY opposite end which is splined, a sprocket journaled in the Y forward end of. said other cutter bar and adapted to be driven by the cutter chain movable thereaboutg'an internal gear formed integral with said sprocket, and a spur gear onsaid splined driving member adapted to be driven by 'said internal gear. Y

THOMAS E; PRAY. 

